EDWARDSBURG — Once a year, like clockwork, the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church gets in the Christmas spirit to host an event that will brighten the season for those who are most in need in Edwardsburg.

The Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church will, for the fifth year in a row, host its annual Winter Wonderland Christmas party from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. The party will be hosted at Hope United Methodist Church, located 69441 Elkhart Road, in Edwardsburg, due to space.

For the Winter Wonderland Christmas party, the Presbyterian Church invites families who have utilized the Edwardsburg Food Pantry during the year to attend. The church provides the children with toys, and food is provided to all through a pancake breakfast provided by The Knights of Columbus. Santa and Mrs. Claus also attend the event to spend time with the children and to create a photo opportunity.

Every child in attendance is also given a personal care package, filled with things like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and tissues.

“We buy presents for all the families who need assistance this year,” said Tanda Stiffler, an organizer of the event. “We also like to really take care of them with the personal care packages. We fill them with things that are essentials, but that they likely wouldn’t get by going to the food pantry or with food stamps. We try to fill that gap. It’s a win-win for families to bring their kids to the party.”

The presents, many of which Stiffler picked out on Black Friday, are organized by age group, going up to 18 years old.

“The presents aren’t wrapped. The kids can just go up to a table and look to see what they would like to get,” Stiffler said. “We try to get them things that they will really enjoy.”

Stiffler said the event has long been a hit for those invited, noting that the children are the ones most excited to attend.

“We usually have a line right at 8 o’clock of kids just waiting to get in,” she said.

The community also gets excited for the event, with local businesses donating to the cause and local clubs volunteering at the event, Stiffler said.

“A lot of people in Edwardsburg are good people,” she said. “They send us donations to make sure this happens.”

Stiffler said she is happy to be involved in organizing the Winter Wonderland Christmas party, and though it can be a lot of work, seeing the excitement of the children’s faces makes it all worth it.

“It’s so great seeing the kids so happy,” she said.